Measures taken by health authorities for eradication of leishmaniasis in Larkana region

Abstract

About Larkana Region

 

Larkana district comprises of seven talukas namely Larkana, Ratiodaro, Miro Khan, Shahdad Kot, Kamber, Warah and Dorkri. It covers an area of 7432 km². The population of the district is 2.1 millions. Main crops are rice, sugarcane, and wheat. The climate of the region is hot in summer (33-48^oC) and moderate in winter (11-21^oC). Geographically, the district is divided into three tracts i.e. Kohistan, Central Canal and Eastern Tract.

 

About Leishmaniasis

 

Leishmaniasis is an infectious skin disease, which occurs due to the bite of sand fly. The bite produces a hard boil on the skin which turns into a wound. The parasite of the leishmaniasis is found in rats, squirrels, mongooses, dogs and cats. When a rodent dies, sand flies consume its blood harboring the parasites of leishmaniasis and transmit it to the human being through subsequent bites. The sand fly emerges from its habitat in summer, particularly in August and goes into hibernation in the winter to lay eggs and breed, to reappear in February. These flies only appear after sunset from their inhabitation/holes and crevices of the muddy houses. In the wake of the war in Afghanistan (which is part of the leishmaniasis belt in Asia), the migration of Afghan refugees into Pakistan led to introduction of this skin disease. The hilly areas of Larkana district i.e. Warah, Kamber and Shahdad Kot talukas, bordering with Baluchistan and Kheirthir mountains range fell a victim to the disease from February, 2001 onwards.